Transmission gearing



Sept 6 1927 l.. w. MELCQER TRANSMISSION 4 GERING Original Filed March 5. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet y l Sept. 6, 1927. 1,641,187l

L. w. MELCHER v TRANSMISSION GEARING Original Filed March 5. 1923 2 sheets-sheet 2 fil) under the body ofthe car.

Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

LEE W. MELCHER, F WEST DEER, W'ISCONS.

f TRANSMISSION annalisa.A

Original application filed Marcn, 1923,*Sera1 No. I lllivicle 1 and this application filed 'olvinbr 12, 1924. serial No. 749,385.

The invention relates 'to mechanism for controlling` the operation and shifting of power transmission gearing, and more particularly to such gearing as isl used ,with r`cars or trucks propelled by internal combustion motors. y

This application is a divisionV of the application filed byv ine March 5, 1923, Serial No. 622,751. y y The object of the invention is to provide new and improved gearoperating or shifting mechanism in ivhic-h fluid under pressure is used as a motive agent for shift-ing the gears, and electrically controlled devices are nsed to control the operation of the geai1 .shifting` elements.

Other objects of the invention ivill appear from the detailed description. y v

The invent-ion consists i the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more par` ticularly definedby the claims at the conclusion hereof.

.ln the drawings: 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a railway. car .provided with tbeinvention. Fig.,2 is a diagram of the electric circuits for the gear operating and shifting' mechanism. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the variable speed and reversible transmission gearing?. between one' of the motors yand one of the axles and the air pressure mechanism for shifting' the gearing under electro-magnetic control. Fig.. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 444-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an Yenlarged section taken on vfine 5 5 of Fig. 3.

The invention is exemplified in connection `with a railway car comprising Wheels adapted to run on tracks, trucks 11 and a body 12, which may be of any suitablefconstruction, as Well understood in the art. The power plant frp'rOp/elling the car comprises a pair of'indep'endent internal combustion motors 18 and 14, each of which is of the multi -cylinder type, and is suit-ablyniounte'd Each motor is connected to drive one pair of Wheels 10 through a clutch comprising a drive-nien'iber 15 connected to the motor and a' driven member 1G connected by a shaft 215 to drive variable speed and reversible transmission gearing which is connected.` to v drive a universal joint 17, which drives a universal shaft 18 to drivea second universal joint- 19, which is connected to drive reversible geen of suitable construction in a gear-'case 111 around a' traction-Wheel axle.

The present invention contemplates the use of. compressed air for effecting the' movement of the gear-'shifting parts, and for this purpose, a reservoir 22 is provided,

vWhic'h is connected to receive air from a compressor'tnot shown) operated by one or more of the motors, so that there Will be maintained therein a snbstant-ially uniform pressure of air.

The driven clutch-member 16 is operable linto and out of driving' relation i'vith memshaft '.V A gea-r 29 fixed on theinner end of shaft 25' meshes` constantly with a gear which is fixed on and drives the coun-v te'rshaft 27. A 10W-'speedr pinion 31 and an intermediate or secondspeed pinion 32 are fixed to countershaft 27.V A 'gear 33, slidably mounted onshaft 28, isy adapted to be shifted into engagement With pinion 31 to drive 'sha-ft 28 at low speed in forward direction. A.r gear 34, Which is slidably niountf ed .on and adapted to drive shaft 28, is shift-able into engagement With gear 32 to drive the 'car at intermediate speed and also into direct driving connection With the gear 29 to propel the carat high speed. yGear 33 is also adapted to'be shifted into engagement With a reverse pinion 35 which is driven by a pinion 36 on the countershaft 24. Gear 33 is shiftable by a fork 37 which is fixed to a bar 38 VWhich is slidably mounted in the gear-case 26. Gear 34 is shiftab'le by fork 39 which is fixed to a bar 40 which is slidable longitudinally in the gear-case 26. A rod 41, which is'also slidab'le through the gear-case, is provided with' an inclined end 41a to enga-ge a roller 42 on one, arm of the bell-crank lever 28 to disengage clutch-member 16 from member 15. lnlormally, gears 33, 34 are. inv neutralvposition. By shift-ing vgear 33 in one direction, it will mesh with the loiv speed `pinion 31- andv by shift in the opposite direction, it ivill inesli With the ti U rever-ee pinion By shitting gear in one direction. it will mesh. with interinodiete speed pinion 23:2 find. hv shift in the opposite direction. it will he dri oilily connected to the geni' 2Q on elizi'tt Q5. Finire 3S und it() are shil'ted in one direction h v dogs :loting direetlv on their ends respeetively. Toshilt her 38 in the oiposite direction7 :i cent 'ally lnlernined lever l is pivoted et one of its ends to seid he et und has itis` other end pivoted to n eliduhle hor l5 Whieh nieves reverselv to liar 3S. through seid lever. fr, similar centrally pivoted lever -lt lies one oit its ends pivoted to her fit) and its other end pivotett :is et Ll?. to :i elidzilile he r 48.

The new und :improved inerhenieni lor operiilii'ig ezieh eety olf these geni-#shift here l5, 238, l0, elS eoinprises :i @vlinder 50, o pis ton 5l eliilzihle therein, ti pieton rod tirent to the piston ond elitenifliifig to 'the on of the cylinder, e.. )Jolie ol jtixerl lo fluid roll, :i eross-hezid 'ii-l tixed to eziid volte :intl :1 series of Afour dogs 55. 5G, 5T sind 5&3, eheh pivoted to the croeshezid und extended to engere the end ol one of the genr-eliit't roller. ',lhese doge are pivoteel so theyY .univ he selecn tivelbv shifted into poeition to operate one ot the ods hy electro-magnete 5?, (S. {Si} i nil (il reeifieetivelif'. Thee@ eli` rro-oizig'nets iire inonntierl on cross-heed til, lieh dep; if; niori'iiulhT positioneifl to elexir ite` :irisoeiane il geur-shittrod and "airries en :ir iotnre o which 1S adopted to loo attracted by the core olL :i magnet when .its helix is enero; to

.i iront lilt. the teil of the log :ind more it enit to he lowered .into position to en en. "e one of the teer-shift rode when the volte :o :ind heini i-tere operoted by the ethnie on oi oir nntler pressure to the Zylinder Sit). l liiiirinr; til ie provided 'lor eti-.rh ol the geor- Shilt rode. Magnets 5t), GQ, ti?) sind, ti-t- :ire separately rontrolled so that the operator :on st leetivel),7 enne-e thenl to he energized ieeorifling to the geiirrlninge desired.

A erosrler GG, rigid with sind tilted to grins: (3T. ie pivotnlly connected ai" titl to the erose-hed This orosei-bei.' (SG is adopted to he .ehil'teil h v i nnigivt Gt) 'into poeition to engage :ill of the gear-ehilft here to reset theni in their norniiil or neiitriil poeition when the eroesi-heiid ope'zited for this plirpoiie. Normally, hor 6o' ie positioned to poot; under the gezii--sl1itt here but when niegriiet. (ill is energized, it Will he raised to entrego the rerir ende` ot eneh et the groei shilt here which have heen shifted toiviird the err hind :ind when the piston 5l :1nd the er heini 5l- :ire operated. eheh here will he shifted to their norniiil poeition, alleine the other hors to he revereeljr shifted to their noriniil positions through levers lli, lo. Ber ell is;` rigidly secured to reeiproeote with eroseehezid :intl eoneeolnrntlv. doringl the initial outvviird ehil't ol' the erofiiiheed, the inclined end Ill of said hof will ii'i't roller fl-:2 :ind ilieeonneety the elnteh l5, lo. jitter its; initial movement:j har Lll will peers onder roller l2 and 'anse the ehiteh to re :inizi iiioperotive outil the Selected geur-shift rod hos heen set- :intl the erotisroil io retriieted. .Bit the end ot the ret 'tietiie rirolie. lever 225 will he released to permit the clutch to heeonie operative.

iflien more thon, one engine ie need ttyliinler@` :ire reepewtivelv eoniiieoted to pipes Tt). TU tlfitoj. l). A pipe T2 delivers nir iiiiiler premere Ytroni reigervoir i12 to the dominee ol three-wily iulveis T1, one olf which .iii loriiteil et enrh control station. there heine; one ol2 siiiirl estetionfv zit either end ol the wir. The pino' ol" erich tliree\v:iy 'zilve '7l is :iifhiiliterfl lo deliver :iir nni'ler proteine lroin to if! to :i pipe TUM. Euch pipe T0 is ronnerteil to hotli pipes Tt), TU to tlelive :tir "2li e'vlioilere o() to operate the geor-rilii'it n erhzinieniwr. lliieli vzilie "il is also :iilzipted one el' ite` poeitioiis to ent olil the supply iir 'troni pipe T2 :ind open pipe 70 to zit:- aphere to exhaustthe nir from o vlinder )it erich enit. pipes Tt), 7( t nre provided with vrlve` TU lo, eo that en v ot the evldori; fit) inztv he out ellj 'l'roni piperl 70, it oon trol station. This construction it pos-zihe. hy the inzinipnlzition ot to render either oit the cylinders pe 'siti ve from either control Station, when ier motor is idle. ltornmlly, the volvo 1 the idle station ie kept eloeed. 'lhe helix ot nniginet (i2, which controle the doe` `ior the lovv epeed teer-shift, is elec- 'eoliv f 'oniieeteil to :i conductor il which it: eoiineetetl to :i .ovv-'iteh (32 :it eiixh Control etntion. illfzigrnet Gl, Ylor rontrollinej the doe.` tor the intermediate geur-shift, is connected to :i eonrlirtor To vihieh is roniitvfterl to :L :nvitrh til" at ezieh control etntion. leugnet (3S-l. v'hieh eontroli; the dogg Afor the high .speed teer-shift. Connected to o eoi'nlurtor TG which ie eoni'ieeteil to e evviteh otr :it eilen rontrol oliitionk Magnet 5S) for controlling the dog tor the reverse geiiislizi'lt. is ronv` nertefl to i1` ronduetor TT which eonneeted to :i :eviteh 5W at eiieh eontrol station. illogiiet of), At'or reeteringI the geanshiiift ineehzinient into neutral. or noriniil position. is ron nerted to e. ronrhietor TF5 which eoniieeti-fd to ai. :switch G9 :it eeeh eontrol station. The eleotro1n:ie'oets 5), (32. Gil. Gat 'tor erich t fensiniesion ggjeziriiigi :ire eonneeted to the Switches :it the Control stiitione. so thot ull ot the elirrieponding nnigjnets nur;Y he rontrolleifl troni the Sivitrht-xe :it either Station. Coroieetioiis :ire provided to render the eiertro-inoyrnete Vl'or either ol the t'tinwinieeion ggeiirinirs operative :intl inoperative lfroin either ot the control Stations indi Vl'or this i'nirpoiie, tivo switches (il ond e :ire provided :it ezieh control station. The buttery (l is eonneeteil to eiieh ot the switcher; e hy :L

conductor e. A conductor d2, eiztending be- I tween switches d, is 'connected by a conductor Z3 to lall `of the magnetsl of one transmission gearing and a conductor e2 between switches e isfconnected by a yconductor es to all of the magnets for the other transmission gearing. The other side-of the 'ba-ttery C is connected' by a conductor c to all of the switches 59?, 62, 633,64, and 69a at both control stations. v Y c The operation ofv the`controlling mechanism forthe variable speed gearing'when the two motors are used will be as follows: Assuming the'motors to be in operation-and the gearings in their neutral positions, the operator will close the switch 62a at whichever control station is in use,` thus causing the following circuits to be established; battery C, conductor e', switches l and e at the i1 control station in use, conductors e2 and d2,

conductorse, d?, magnet 62, conductor 74, switch 62a at the control station and conductors c.' This will cause magnets 62 to vbecome energized so( they will shift dogs 56 to render them operative tof'shift rods 38. Next, the operator will manipulate the three-way valve 7l at the control station in use to deliver air under pressure from pipe 72 to pipes Oband pipes 70, 70'LL into both of the cylinders 50.' This will operate the pistons 51 to shift the cross-heads 54 outwardly and during their initialshift, rods 41 will disconnect clutches v15, 16 and thereafter dogs 56 will shift rods 38' to bring the gears 33 into position to be driven by pinions 31, so that shafts 28 will be driven at low speed. After the pistons 5l have been operated outwardly, the operatorY will manipulate valve 7l to exhaust air from cylindersv 50 and', thereupon, the clutch rod 41 will be withdra-wn to automatically `permit the clutch to become operative. By similar cycles of operations, the operator can 'control the'dogs 58,

57 and. through switches 64., 63a and 59a respectively. Whenever the operator desires toset the transmissions in neutral positions, he will operate a switch 69a which will close a circuit to magnet 69 to operatecross-bar 66 into the plane of the gear-shiftrods and then manipulate a valve 7l to cause the crosshead 54 to operate said cross-bar and restore all of the gear-shift rods which are out of their normal positions tottheir. neutral positions.

When one of the motors is idle, it is desirable that the gear-shifting mechanismy should be rendered inoperative and this can be done by opening either of the switches e', d, ateither of the control stations. When either of said switches is open, the circuits for the operation of the set of magnets to `which it is connected will be cut out` of the circuits controlled by thesw'itches 64a, 62?, 69e, t3a and 59a. By @losing valvevoc, 70d, either of the Cylinders' 50 may be inoperative r'esponsiv'ely to the valves 71 so that the cross-'head for the corresponding transmission will be rendered inoperative.

It will be understood that although the gear-controlling mechanism is described in use` with a car having two motors and two transmissions, that it may be used with a single transmission which is used for any purpose. Y l

The invention exemplifies controlling means for variable speed transmission gearlings in which'coinpressed air or a fluidv under restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. c

VHaving thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters `Patent, is:

l'. In mechanism of the character dedesc'ribed,-the combination of a drive shaft, a shaft to bedriven, variable speed transmission gearing` and a clutch between said shafts, and means for controlling said gearing comprising` a Vslidably mounted rarrieiy gear-shifting elements mounted on the carrier', means for shifting the gearing, means for selectively controlling` said elements to render them operative during the shift of the' carrier, and'k clutch-shifting means connectedl to be operated by the carrier.

2. In V`mechanism' of they 'character ydescribed,'the combination of a drive shaft, a shaft to be driven, variable speed transmis- 'sion gearing between saidshafts, and controlling mechanism for said gearing fiomprising push bars connected at one end thereof to shift the gears, said Ybars having abutmenty portions at the other end thereof, a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from said abutment portions, members movably mounted on the carrier, said members being held normally in a position tooverlap the abutment portions when the carrier is shifted toward said bars, means for selectively moving the members into a position to abut against said portions'during shift of the carrier toward the bars, and means for shifting the carrier.

3., In ai mechanism of the character described, the combinationA of a drive shaft'` a shaft to be driven, variable speed transmission gearing between said shafts, and conlio lit)

trolling' mechanism for said `searing comprising' push bars connected at one end thereof to shift the gears, said bars having abutment portions at the other end thereof, a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from said abutment portions, members movably moiu'ited on the carrier, said members beine' hold normally in al position to overlap the abutment portions When the 'arrier is shifted towards said bars, electromagnets mounted on the carrier for selectively moving the members into a position to abut against said portions` during;- shift of the carrier toward the bars` and means for shifting;I the carrier.

4f. In mechanism ol the character desrnbcil` the combination of i drive shaft. a sl'iaft to be driven` variable speed transmission gearing, and a clutch between said shafts, ciintrolling` imichanism for said gearingiromprisinn push bars connected at one end thereof to shift the gears. said bars laivinnl abutment portions at the other end thereof, a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from said abutment portions, ineuibers movablT mounted on the corrieri said members beine' held normali;Y in a position to overlap the abutment portions when the carrier is shifted toward said bars means for selectively moving the members into a position to abut against said portions during; shift of the carrier toward the bars` and means for shifting;- the carrier, and a clutch operating,l har connected to the carrier and operable during shift of the carrier toward the hars.

T. vln mechanisni of the character described. the con'lbiiiation of a drive shaft, a shaft to he driven` "ariable speed transmission n'carine between said shafts, and controlling); mechanism for said gearing` coinprisinil' push bars connected at one end thereof to shift the `gears, said bars having abutniei'it portions at the other end thereof. a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from said abutment portions, members mov ably mounted on the carrier, said members beine held normali),7 in a free position with respect to the bars, means carried by the earrier for selectively moving' the members into a position to abut against the said abutment portions during' shift of the carrier toward the bars. and means for shitting,` the carrier.

t3. ln mechanism of the cha ractor described, the combination of a drive shaft, a shaft to be driven, variable speed transmission `eariiro; between said shafts. and controlline; mechanism for said gearing comprising` push bars connected at one end thereof to shift the Lnears. said bars having abutment portions at the other cud thereof, a arrier mounted to slide toward and aivap1 from said abutment portions, members pivotally mounted on the carrier, said members beingl held normally in ai free position with respect to the bars, means for swinging the members into a position to abut against the said abutment portions during,l shift of the carrier tovvard the bars, and means for shifting the carrier.

'7. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a drive shaft, a shaft to be driven, variable speed transmission `gearing' between said shafts, and controlling;- mechanism for said gearing; comprising` a pair of push bars, a centrally pivoted lever connected said bars at one end thereof, one. of said bars beine' connected at said one end to shift one of the gears in opposite directions buv relative shift of the bars, said bars having abutment portions at the other end thereof, a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from the abutment portions, ineinbers movablv7 mounted on the carrier, means for selectivel,r moving the members into a position to abut against said portions during shift of the carrier toward the bars, a cross bar movably mounted ou the carrier, means for movingr the cross bar into a position to abut against the abutment portions duringl shift of the carrier toward the bars to shift the latter into a neutral or inoperative position, and means for shifting the carrier.

ti. In mechanism of the clmracter described, the combination of a drive shaft, a shaft to be driven, variable speed transmission gearing between said shafts, and controlling' mechanism for said Zgearingr con'iln'ising a pair of push bars, a centrally pivoted lever connected to said bars` at one end thereof, one of said bars being connected at said one end to shift one of the gears in opposite directions by relative shift of the bars, said bars having abutment portionsl at the other end thereof, a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from the abutment portions, members movably mounted on the carrier, means for selectively moving the members into a position to abut against said portions d urinicil shift of the carrier toward the bars, a cross bar movably mounted on the rarrier, elcctronmgnets for moving` the crosi-s bar into a. position to abut againt the abutment portions during,r shift of the carrier toward the bars to shift the latter into a neutral or inoperative position, and means for shifting' the carrier.

9. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a drive shaft` a shaft to be driven, variable speed traiismis on ejearingl between said shafts, and controllingi` mechanism for said gear-luigi' compris-:ing a pair of push bars, a centrally pivoted lever connected to said bars at one end thereof, one of said bars being connected at said one end to shift one of the Agears in opposite directions by relative shift of the bars, said bars having abutment portions at the other end thereof, a carrier mounted to slide toward and away from the abutment portions, members movably mounted on the Carrier, means for selectively moving the members into 'a position to abut against said portions during shift of the carrier toward the bars, a cross bar pivotally mounted 0n the carrier, means for swinging the cross bar into a position to abut against the abutment portions during shift of the carrier toward the bars to shift the latter into a neutral or inoperative position, and' means for shifting l0 the carrier.

Signed at Green Bay, vWisconsin7 this tirst day ot November, 1924.

LEE W. MELCHER. 

